Deacon Curtis L. Black, Sr., retired steelworker

Deacon Curtis Lee Black Sr., of Buffalo, a retired steelworker active in churches, died Sunday in Hospice Buffalo, Cheektowaga, after a lengthy illness. He was 84.

Born in Bessemer, Ala., he moved to Buffalo in the early 1950s and worked in the blast furnaces for nearly 30 years at Bethlehem Steel Corp. He retired in 1982.

Mr. Black was ordained as a deacon in 1962 at Peace Missionary Baptist Church. Later, he became a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, where he was ordained as a deacon in 1991 and served in several ministries, including the male chorus, credit union and finance committee.

He enjoyed renovating houses, working on cars and gardening. He was active in the YMCA and donated yearly to the Strong Kids program.

His wife of 32 years, Ruby S. Lewis Black, died 1985.

Surviving are three sons, Curtis Jr., James and Frank; three daughters, Bonnie Lee, Amelia Hooks and Denise; a brother, Raymon; and a sister, Rosie Core.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 402 Clinton St.